Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) empowers Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Our agency works with partners in businesses, education, and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; helps Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency determining medical and vocational Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in Ohio. We help connect the people of Ohio who have disabilities with the resources, support, and opportunities that fit their unique needs, abilities, and interests so that they can find and retain meaningful employment. To learn more about what we do, please visit our website at ood.ohio.gov.

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Applicants for this position MUST be proficient in American Sign Language.

Prior to appointment, applicants will be required to demonstrate fluent communication skills in American Sign Language or other non-verbal means of communication (e.g. manually coded-English, etc.) A person without fluent skills will not be eligible for appointment.

American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter Position Overview

Provides sign language interpreting and accessibility services for employees and partners of Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD), as well as the participants we serve. Partners with internal customers to ensure communication, outreach & advocacy efforts are accessible and inclusive. Conducts administrative duties to support the function of interpreting services and effective communication.

ASL Interpreter Duties:

• Provides American Sign Language (ASL) &/or other forms of English signing interpreting services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing translating between spoken and a signed language.
• Formulates & implements program policy related to facilitation of effective communication for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Provides interpreting services one-on-one & for OOD staff at professional meetings, trainings, professional development, disciplinary actions, workforce planning etc.; identifies resources needed & previews information as applicable to confirm understanding of material to be interpreted; prepares for interpreting assignment.
• Adheres to the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)/National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Code of Professional Conduct.
• Provides mentoring services & assists with special assignments & projects.

A Successful ASL Interpreter Has:

• A willingness to be a part of a team, with other interpreters, content developers, and the individuals receiving services;
• A desire to learn, developing understanding about a wide variety of programs and the unique vocabulary with each program;
• The ability to be flexible in communication modality and support the consumer’s needs, scaffolding language and learning style approaches;
• A love for working with a variety of people and in a variety of settings;
• The recognition that being a staff interpreter in a government agency requires an understanding of how interpreting services fits into a larger system;
• Ability to travel throughout the community where communication services are required.
  
  

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities is not an E-Verify employer and will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Classification: Program Administrator 1

Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) Division Overview

The Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) offers vocational rehabilitation services to Ohioans with disabilities and want to gain, maintain, or return to meaningful employment or personal independence. Working in partnership with county and state agencies, public facilities, and universities across the state, BSVI programs strive to enable premier career opportunities for individuals with disabilities and to be the service provider of choice for our customers.

Pay Information

Starting salary will be step 1 with an hourly bilingual supplement of $1.35, subject to law or union contract requirements. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. There are cost of living increases to these rates each year and additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Location Requirements

Our roles are primarily in-office to encourage collaboration and connection, however some locations may have adjusted on-site requirements based on space availability at this time. Reporting details will be provided by the supervisor before the start date. Employees must reside at a location that allows for reasonable response time to workplace reporting requirements.

Daytime travel within Ohio will be required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver’s license.

Applications and Selections

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Position Specific Minimum Qualification (PSMQ): Fluency in American Sign Language or other non-verbal means of communication (e.g. manually coded-English)

AND one of the following:

36 months' training or 36 months' experience in business administration, management science or public administration. If assigned to operate vehicles regulated by Section 4506.01 of Revised Code, applicants must also have valid commercial driver's license.

OR

Completion of undergraduate core program in business administration, management science or public administration; AND 12 months' training or 12 months' experience in supervisory, administrative and/or managerial position which involved limited research and public contact. If assigned to operate vehicles regulated by Section 4506.01 of Revised Code, applicants must also have valid commercial driver's license.

OR

Completion of undergraduate core program in academic field commensurate with program area to be assigned per approved Position Description on file; AND 12 months' training or 12 months' experience in supervisory, administrative, managerial &/or staff position which involved limited research and public contact. If assigned to operate vehicles regulated by Section 4506.01 of Revised Code, applicants must also have valid commercial driver's license.

OR

Equivalent of education and/or experience per Minimum Class Qualifications noted above.

Job Skills: Program Management, American Sign Language, Operational Support, Scheduling, Customer Service, Intercultural Communication, Problem Solving, Adaptability, Confidentiality, Problem Solving, Customer Focus

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is amongst the top-ranked state agencies implementing inclusive and accessible planning and programming into businesses operations and services. We strive to hire, sustain, and promote a workforce that not only embraces this mission but is also reflective of the Ohioans we serve.

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact OOD.OandA@ood.ohio.gov so proper arrangements can be made.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.